13 Hacks For A Faster And Easier Move
Moving isn’t easy on anyone, but there are ways to pack faster and make the process smoother.
23/03/2022
Moving is part of everyone’s life. Whether you’ve experienced it once or it’s your first time, it can be a stressful process that may take its toll even if you’re a good planner.
Luckily, while moving isn’t easy on anyone, there are ways to pack faster and make the process smoother. If it sounds too good to be true, here are the hacks for a faster and easier move:
1. Work With Professional Movers
If you want an easier and faster move, you have to decide whether you want a DIY route or hire professional movers like Big Boy Movers. Working with movers can save you from headaches, but you want to ensure that you’re dealing with a trustworthy and reputable mover.
Doing your research may help you enjoy savings in the long run. However, it can be a bit tricky choosing a moving company due to countless options. The best solution is to get different deals and quotes from your preferred movers.
If possible, consider visiting their office and checking online reviews to know the feedback of their current and previous clients. Doing such steps can make you feel comfortable once you leave your valuable things in reliable hands.
2. Call Your Utility Providers
There are other things you can do before you decide to pack your first box. One of these is to contact your utility providers as soon as you decide to move to another country.
Canceling your utilities at your current house and getting them set up at your new place is as easy as making phone calls. It’s an excellent idea to do this before getting caught up in some tasks when you’re busy packing your valuables.
3. Start Packing Early
Once you decide to move, consider planning ahead of time and start packing immediately. Keep in mind that packing is the most tiring part of moving and you have to invest more time to pack your belongings properly.
So, if you want to pack your things in an organized and safe manner, it’s wise to do it at least a few weeks or a month before the moving day. Do it gradually by packing the things you will not use while waiting for your moving day. Once your moving day draws closer, you’ll be glad to know that you did the hard work in advance.
4. Use Packing Tips
Regardless of your packing or moving experiences, you need to take advantage of various packing tips to make the process easy. Some ideas to pack your belongings for relocation include the following:
- Use newspapers, packing materials, and old clothes to protect your fragile objects in every room.
- Label your boxes, preferably on the side, so you can read them when they’re stacked.
- Keep your daily necessities packed in separate bags that you’ll carry in your vehicle.
- Use plastic wrap to cover the openings of your liquid bottles to reduce spills.
- Keep your clothes on the hanger and use open garbage bags to pack them.
- Number your boxes based on your inventory system.
5. Prepare Your Essential Bag
Pack your essential things in a bag or box during your move and right after you’ve arrived at your new place. Packing a bag with your essentials therein is crucial because it helps you on your moving day. It keeps you from being disorganized and searching through all your things to find a specific item you need.
Your essential bag may contain chargers, pertinent documents, medications, packed eatables, toiletries, etc. If you have one with things you need when you arrive at your new home, you don’t have to unpack all your boxes and rest a little.
6. Move During Off-Season Or Off-Peak
Usually, most people move during the summer, which is considered a peak moving season. Weekends are preferred or end-months when leases typically expire.
The common problem with moving during peak season is that everybody else does so. Thus, the competition and demand for housing are high. For this reason, the need for professional moving services also increases. In short, moving during peak seasons may cost you more over time.
So, if your upcoming move gives you some flexibility, opt for colder and slower months, and do it on weekdays. Lease transfer may help you overcome potential hurdles. So it’s something you should consider.
7. Prepare An Inventory List And Label Your Boxes
Most people overlook the significance of creating an inventory list and labeling your boxes. It is a common mistake because searching for specific items from the pile of boxes can be stressful, time-consuming, and challenging.
So, as you pack your things into the boxes, have a list, and don’t forget to label your boxes. The method will provide you with the item’s exact location without opening your boxes.
8. Get Help From Your Family And Friends
Inform your family members and close friends about your move a few months ahead. If you’re not hiring professionals, you may need their help to pack and load your things, such as furniture and heavy appliances. Plus, you’ll enjoy your moving journey if you have company, and you need to spend less time packing.
To maximize efficiency and minimize procrastination, keep the following tips in mind:
- Set a specific deadline to wrap up your packing process
- Be sure that everyone is assigned to each room to avoid duplicating efforts. You may also give your friends or family members particular tasks to do.
- Prepare food or refreshments and ensure that they have everything they may need for packing.
Once you follow the above tips and put in extra effort, the unpacking process is more likely to be headache-free, short, and sweet.
9. Plan For Contingencies
Even the best-laid plans may go awry when moving, particularly when moving long-distance. Manage your expectations, hope for the best, and be ready by planning for the worst-case scenario.
During the process, it’s wise to check your insurance coverage to see if your move is covered. If you don’t have one, invest in moving insurance coverage and work with a trustworthy company.
Never forget to account for some moving expenses, like take-out when you’re packing your kitchen and extra money for gas to take some of your old things to a charity or your friend’s place. You might also want to rent a self-storage unit in the meantime.
10. Only Pack What You Need And Get Rid Of Your Other Stuff
An easy way to enjoy savings on your move is to go through your items and get rid of or donate anything you don’t need. It means your load will be lighter, and if you’re planning to take the do-it-yourself (DIY) approach, you’ll need fewer boxes to haul. You’ll also require fewer boxes, and packing may take less time.
Start by donating, selling, or recycling
usable things that you don’t need. Social media
platforms are good places to sell them.
If
your trash piles are full of big things like old
furniture, you might want to clear off your curb
by hiring a junk removal company. Professional
removalists can lend a hand to help you get rid
of your junk, or you may look into renting
dumpsters if you want to remove trash by
yourself.
11. Set Your Budget
To enjoy a less stressful and smoother move,
one of the moving hacks you should know is to
create a moving budget. The transfer to your new
place can get costly, so it’s critical to
compare the prices of relocating businesses to
get the best deal.
Once you create a list of
movers, don’t forget to list their estimates.
Asking their fees or charges is essential since
some companies charge as per the quantity of the
products. Determine how much you can afford to
spend when relocating and stick to your budget.
12. Get Enough Boxes
Before packing your things, you have to get enough boxes to help professional movers carry them properly. If you want to ensure that you have enough boxes, check your rooms and list what you want to pack.
Never forget to get other essential packing supplies, such as packing tape, bubble wrap, padding, and markers. These things can make a difference in keeping your valuables safe and secured during the relocation.
They can also help prevent boxes from tearing, label your boxes, and protect your fragile belongings. Consider getting various sizes and shapes to accommodate your needs to guarantee that you have the correct containers for all your belongings.
13. Take Photos
Taking photos of your furniture, belongings, devices, and boxes is a wise move since it’ll help you know if something is damaged or missing. Moreover, the moving phases can keep you busy, and you may forget a few details.
For example, you can take photos of the wires or cables connected to your TV and some devices. It will save you time once you unpack your appliances and set them up.
If you want to move your flat-pack furniture to your new home, pictures may help you know where the screws go. Arranging your shelves and the accessories or items in them will be a breeze once you follow the photos you’ve taken.
Bottomline
Moving doesn’t need to be complicated. So, whether you’re planning to move locally or long-distance, be sure to follow the hacks above to make things faster and easier on yourself. Also, never hesitate to work with professional movers to get the best results possible, especially if you’re busy and don’t have time to prepare the necessary packing supplies.